'5K-9' & Pet Adopt-a-thon fills needs for Gainesville Pet Rescue

Gainesville Pet Rescue will feature some of its foster care dogs at Saturday's 2nd Annual Kanapaha 5K-9, hosted by the Pledge 5 Foundation.

By Amanda WardCorrespondent

Some of them have been in foster care for a few weeks, others for more than six months. They have someone to care for them, but these homes and relationships are only temporary.That is why Gainesville Pet Rescue will feature some of its foster care dogs at Saturday's 2nd Annual Kanapaha 5K-9, hosted by the Pledge 5 Foundation.Runners, walkers, dog and cat people alike can race the 5K or do the One-Mile Pup Run and Pet Parade that follows. All the events are staged at Kanapaha Park, located off Tower Road.Beau, one of the rescue's puppies, will run the 5K.“We thought it would be a fantastic way to showcase him,” said Heather Thomas, executive director of Gainesville Pet Rescue.“He loves to run and would make a great partner for a runner.”Thomas said Gainesville Pet Rescue is different from other shelters in Gainesville because all its rescued animals live in foster homes rather than at the facility.“They get to have a normal life, and we get to see how each animal acts in a home,” she said.The downside to this is they can only rescue as many animals as they have foster homes.“If we get a rescue but there's no foster home to put it in, we can't rescue it and that animal could be euthanized,” she said. “So we always need volunteers and foster homes.”Pledge 5 has hosted a pet supply and adoption drive throughout February, and it will continue at the race.“If we get these animals adopted, we can get other animals into the program,” said Jason Bowman, president and founder of Pledge 5 Foundation.The event runs from 8 a.m. to noon, ending with a ceremony for race awards and pet superlatives.“Even if you can't adopt, by participating or donating to any of our locations,” Bowman said, “you will be making a difference in these pets' lives, and this is a good opportunity to do activities with your own pet.”Participants can join the Facebook cause for $5 off the $25 registration. The price includes breakfast, a 5K-9 event T-shirt, Doggy Bandana and a 5K-9 Doggy Gift Bag. Visit www.pledge5.org/events/kanapaha5k9 for pre-registration.The Pledge 5 Foundation is a nonprofit organization that organizes events and charity drives for other nonprofits.For more information, visit www.pledge5.org, stay connected on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pledge5 and follow Pledge 5 on Twitter at twitter.com/Pledge5.

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